THE HARMONATORS – BIG MOUTH
APRIL 2012

After deciding on new album title “Big Mouth”, Liz and Rae aka The Harmonators knew there would be questions! The girls insist it wasn’t a difficult decision and in fact it’s quite apt.  Not only is it the album’s opener and a definite contender for a radio single, Rae explains, “It also describes a little bit of whom we both are and what we're like. If people have been to our shows they would know we like to have a chat and quite often divulge information about ourselves and each other”.

Recorded at Nashville’s Fool On The Hill studios in August 2011, “Big Mouth” is the second album from the 2009 TIARA Awards Best Duo. Sharing producer credits are long-time producer Matt Fell along with previous song-writing collaborator Sam Hawksley. Assembling some of country music’s finest including Dan Dugmore on pedal & lap steel (Kenny Rogers, Hank Williams Jnr, Joe Nichols, Dierks Bentley), Rob McNelley on guitars (Wynonna Judd, Dolly Parton, Lady Antebellum), Eamon McLoughlin on fiddle (founding member of The Greencards) the album was recorded over two weeks. Along with four - five months of writing and sourcing tracks prior to leaving for Music City USA, followed with another nine months of mixing, mastering and finalising artwork, the album will be released on May 4th.

The 10-track release features six songs written or co-written by the duo along with Nashville and Australian co-writers. The title track was written by Jay O'Shea (female half of husband and wife team O’Shea) and Troy Johnson (Sara Evans, Keith Urban) and is about those times when we confess our feelings too early and too easily. Rae’s favourite tracks include ‘Steal You Away’ written by Alyssa Bonagura (daughter of Michael Bonagura and Kathie Baillie of country group Baillie & The Boys) a gorgeous ballad about trying to get the person you have feelings for to open up to you and ‘Wherever I Go’ written by Rae, Aussie Phil Barton (Lee Brice) and Kris Bergsnes (Chris LeDoux, Randy Travis) a song about leaving/ being away from home but never to far from the people you love...

"I take you with me, wherever I go" – Moody, Barton & Bergsnes – “Wherever I Go”, 2012

Liz agrees that ‘Wherever I Go’ is a standout track as she believes Rae and co have perfectly captured their feelings towards their loved ones. With extensive travel and time away from home, the sacrifice is large but it’s made easier when you can carry their love and support with you.  'Save Her Soul' – was new territory for the girls in more ways than one. Unlike anything they've recorded before, it’s a tale of a good girl gone bad. “There was a great vibe in the studio; for once Rae and I actually got to record the vocals together. Not surprisingly we got the giggles and Sam (Hawksley) needed to switch our focus more than once”, Liz recalls. Another treasured memory for Liz was the recording of 'Steal You Away'. “Sitting in the booth while Chris Tuttle (Jewel) played the piano parts, I was just mesmerised. The solo in this song gave us all tingles,” Liz adds.

“Such phenomenal talent played on this record with all the musicians and songwriters we assembled, it’s a who’s who of country music. Not too shabby hey? Speaking of not too shabby, Rae really had her song-writing mojo going and wrote or co-wrote more than half the album. I'm very proud of her and the amazing songs she created,” Liz shares about her good friend she first met in 2001 and they later formed The Harmonators in 2003.  

The Harmonators - Rae a 2007 CMAA Country Music College Graduate and Liz a vocal and drama coach for the past 12 years - met while pursuing studies as lead vocalists at the Australian Institute Of Music. Both were born and raised in Sydney and would sing each others’ backing vocals while at the institute. Rae is responsible for the duo’s musical moniker and after a lecturer pointed out they had something special, they decided to give it a go. The girls have producer Matt Fell to thank, for in essence, bullying them into keeping the name after threatening to buy it... if they didn’t keep it!

Discography:
2006 – Self-titled EP
2008 – “Here And Now” – debut album
2010 – “Something More” – EP

 

“Big Mouth” is released on May 4th, 2012

With two official launch parties confirmed:
Sunday May 6th @ 1.30pm – Royal Cricketer’s Arms, Prospect NSW
Friday May 11th @ 8.00pm – The Pub, Tamworth NSW

 

For further information please contact: KrisKat Publicity
Ph: +61 2 9349 5328 | M: +61 414 334 348
E: kris@kriskatpublicity.com.au